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Pawlenty signs bill advancing Iron Range cancer study

The rare lung cancer afflicting miners on the
Iron Range will be the topic of extensive study now that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed a bill providing money for the research.

The bill taps a Department of Commerce fund for the $4.9 million
study.

Researchers hope to explain why dozens of miners have been
stricken with mesothelioma.

The University of Minnesota will analyze death records and
conduct screenings of current and former workers and their
families. Environmental reviews will also be done. In all, the
research is expected to take up to five years.